Altars of Baal

Altars of Baal; Choosing God; Miracle/Praying for rain.

Over next few weeks -- Will be looking into some stories from Scripture – Might be one person… or various individuals.

Background

1️⃣ First The Divided Kingdom

After Solomon’s death (c. 930 B.C.), Israel split into two kingdoms:

Northern Kingdom (Israel) – 10 tribes

Southern Kingdom (Judah) – 2 tribes

The Northern Kingdom never had a godly dynasty. It cycled through violent coups, idolatry, and political alliances with local nations.

2️⃣ Then King Ahab’s Reign (1 Kings 16:29–34)

“And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord, more than all who were before him.” (v. 30, ESV)

Reign: c. 874–853 B.C.

Capital: Samaria (founded by his father Omri).

Foreign Alliance: Married Jezebel, princess of Sidon (Phoenicia), daughter of Ethbaal.

Religious Policy: Introduced state-sponsored Baal worship, building temples and altars, and persecuting Yahweh’s prophets.

Political Policy: Sought alliances with Phoenicia and Aram to strengthen the northern kingdom economically and militarily.

Context Summary

Before the dramatic toe to toe showdown on Mount Carmel in 1 Kings 18, Israel had plunged into spiritual rebellion under King Ahab, who “did more to provoke the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him” by promoting Baal worship (1 Kings 16:33).

In response, God raised up Elijah, who suddenly appeared and declared a drought as divine judgment: “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word” (1 Kings 17:1). During the famine, God instructed Elijah, “Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there” (1 Kings 17:3–4), and the ravens brought him bread and meat morning and evening (v. 6).

Later, God sent Elijah to a widow in Zarephath whose flour and oil were miraculously sustained: “The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth” (1 Kings 17:14). When her son died, Elijah cried out, “O Lord my God, let this child’s life come into him again,” and “the Lord listened to the voice of Elijah. And the life of the child came into him again, and he revived” (1 Kings 17:21–22).

These events prepared Elijah for his return to confront Ahab and the prophets of Baal

The Famine

You’ve been under a severe famine - No rain for 3 1/2 years.

Confirmed in Luke 4:25.

Warned about: If they disobeyed God punishment would come…

“Take care lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them; then the anger of the Lord will be kindled against you, and he will shut up the heavens, so that there will be no rain, and the land will yield no fruit, and you will perish quickly off the good land that the Lord is giving you.” — Deuteronomy 11:16–17, ESV

The famine was BAD.

“Ahab said to Obadiah, ‘Go through the land to all the springs of water and to all the valleys. Perhaps we may find grass and save the horses and mules alive, and not lose some of the animals.’ So they divided the land between them to pass through it.” — 1 Kings 18:5–6, ESV

Massive crop failure → loss of grain, oil, and wine (Israel’s staples).

Trade disruptions → Israel relied partly on importing/exporting agricultural goods.

Starvation and disease → prolonged drought often led to weakened immune systems and plagues.

Social unrest and displacement → famine often led to families migrating or selling land/children to survive (cf. 2 Kings 6:25).

Then Read Text – 1 Kings 18:20-46

Key notes as I read.

Then Elijah comes out. He is GOD’s SPOKESPERSON.

He gathers them

He challenges them

Alter VS. Altar Match

What is this moment?

A decisive public trial between Yahweh and Baal, proving Jehovah’s deity and Elijah’s prophetic authority. Clarke- contest format: altar vs. altar, prayer vs. prayer, god vs. God.

READ - 1 Kings 18:1.

1. God’s Sovereignty Initiates a Confrontation (vv. 1–16)

YHWH - “I am who I am”

I was, I am, I will be. I just AM.

In this passage we see the name Yahweh used -

We often tie it back to Exodus 3:14 “God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ”” or YHWH .

Here The one who has always existed - speaks a word. Steps into the picture.

“The Word of the Lord Came to Elijah”.

100 variations of this in the Old Testament:

Ezekiel~49 By far the most — Ezekiel repeatedly says “the word of the LORD came unto me.”

Jeremiah~32 Regular prophetic formula introducing oracles.

1 Kings~8 Mostly in narratives with Elijah and other prophets.

2 Samuel / Chronicles~2–3 A few prophetic narratives (Nathan, etc.).

Jonah2Jonah 1:1 and 3:1 — book framed by this formula.

Haggai / ZechariahSeveral -Introduces post-exilic prophetic messages.’

God’s word came to Elisha and he went and obeyed.

God’s word is still coming to you and I

“But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…” — Hebrews 1:2

Jesus Christ is the climax of God’s revelation — the living Word (John 1:1,14).

All prior revelation pointed to Him; in Him, God’s Word became flesh.

Christ reveals the character, will, and glory of God perfectly (John 14:9; Col. 1:15–20).

“Suppose two men before a chessboard — the one a novice, the other an expert player of the game. … He knows, however, all the possible moves of the latter; and he knows in advance how to meet each of them by a move of his own, which leads in the direction of victory.”

Here God steps in to guide Elijah Providentially in the direction of victory.

Aren’t you thankful for a God who orders and guides our steps.

… so he heads in the direction of Ahab.

—KEEP READING

NEXT READ 1 Kings 18:2-19

2. The Challenge: Who Is God? (vv. 20–24)

NExt we see the challenge.

READ VV 20-24

Here we see the challenge issued by Elijah.

Once and for all.

I’ve sent famine, I’ve sent mr trouble.

Now How long will you keep waffling.

Indecisive

An indecisive person is like a blind man looking in a dark room for a black cat that isnt there.

Spurgeon Wrote in his Sermon.

Most of the people who were before him thought that Jehovah was God, and that Baal was God too; and that for this reason the worship of both was quite consistent. The great mass of them did not reject the God of their fathers wholly, nor did they bow before Baal wholly; but as polytheists, believing in many gods, they thought both Gods might be worshiped, and each of them have a share in their hearts. "No," said the prophet when he began, "this will not do, these are two opinions; you can never make them one, they are two contradictory things which can not be combined. I tell you that instead of combining the two, which is impossible, you are halting between the two, which makes a vast difference." "I will build in my house," said one of them, "an altar for Jehovah here, and an altar for Baal there. I am of one opinion; I believe them both to be God." "No, no," said Elijah, "it can not be so; they are two, and must be two. These things are not one opinion, but two opinions No, you can not unite them."

Two opinions you may hold in politics, perhaps, but then you will be despised by every body, unless you are of one opinion or the other, and act as an independent man. But two opinions in the matter of soul-religion you cannot bold. If God be God, serve him, and do it thoroughly; but if this world be God, serve it, and make no profession of religion. If you are a worldling, and think the things of the world the best, serve them; devote yourself to them, do not be kept back by conscience; spite your conscience, and run into sin. But remember, if the Lord be your God, you cannot have Baal too; you must have one thing or else the other. "No man can serve two masters." If you do profess to be religious, be so thoroughly; if you make any profession to be a Christian, be one; but if you are no Christian, do not pretend to be. If you love the world, then love it; but cast off the mask, and do not be a hypocrite. 

They kept halting going back and forth between the two Gods.

And God called a meeting. The fire would fall - for the one true God.

Today this might look like…

someone who goes to church on Sunday, sings the songs, and says they believe in God — but then spends the rest of the week living by the world’s values, chasing comfort, success, or approval as if those things are ultimate.

Living by ones own selfish desires, then showing up on Sunday like all is ok only to do it all over again the following week is like what the israelites were doing.

👉 For example: Serving two Gods if.. we...

Someone who attends church on sundays by by Mondays and Tuesdays they are already bowing down to their own God’s of sensuality, culture, or other things later that week.

Someone who prays for God’s provision but puts their ultimate trust in their bank account or job status.

Someone who talks about God’s truth but shapes their moral views and daily behaviors by what’s popular or what “feels right or good”, instead of Scripture.

Someone who wants heaven’s blessings but won’t give up their idols of money, self, success, or sex.

📌 In short: They’re trying to build two altars — one for God, and one for the world — and convince themselves it’s compatible.

If you are activly doing these things then you are this person. - You are indecisive, you are waffling, you need to repent and choose your fire.

As spurgeon would say: If you love the world, then love it; but cast off the mask, and do not be a hypocrite. 

Adam Clarke -

1 Kings 18:21. How long halt ye between two opinions? — Literally, "How long hop ye about upon two branches?"

This is a metaphor taken from birds hopping about from branch to branch, not knowing on which to settle.

They were halt, they could not walk uprightly; they dreaded Jehovah, and therefore could not totally abandon him; they feared the king and queen, and therefore thought they must embrace the religion of the state. Their conscience forbade them to do the former; their fear of man persuaded them to do the latter, but in neither were they heartily engaged;

They were waiting for a favourable opportunity to make their decision. Such an opportunity now, through the mercy of God, presented itself.

So here Elijah calls them out… he says ok… lets see whos fire falls.

No more waffling.

3. Baal’s Futile Fire (vv. 25–29)

What was “Baal”?

Baal wasn’t just a random “false god.” In the ancient world, he was one of the most prominent dieties in the Canaanite region.

Baal was believed to be the storm or sun god, controlling rain, thunder, fertility, and agricultural prosperity. In an agrarian society, that meant life or death.

NOTE: Jezebel serves Ashera.

The king and queen had different religious establishments; the king and his servants worshipped Baal, the supreme lord and master of the world, the sun. For this establishment four hundred and fifty priests were maintained. The queen and her women worshipped אשרה Asherah, Astarte, or Venus; and for this establishment four hundred priests were maintained. These latter were in high honour; they ate at Jezebel's table; they made a part of her household. It appears that those eight hundred and fifty priests were the domestic chaplains of the king and queen, and probably not all the priests that belonged to the rites of Baal and Asherah in the land; and yet from the following verse we learn that Ahab had sent to all the children of Israel to collect these prophets; but Jezebel had certainly four hundred of them in her own house who were not at the assembly mentioned here. Those of Baal might have a more extensive jurisdiction than those of Asherah, the latter being constantly resident in Samaria.

How They Entered Israelite Life

Even though God explicitly commanded Israel to destroy Canaanite altars and idols when entering the land (Deut. 7:5; 12:2–4), they often failed to obey fully.

Canaanite worship practices remained in the land.

Over time, Israel absorbed and blended these practices (syncretism), rather than staying pure to Yahweh’s covenant.

The Futile Attempts

1. Their Loud Shouting → Our Empty Religious Talk

“They called upon the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, ‘O Baal, answer us!’ But there was no voice, and no one answered.” — 1 Kings 18:26, ESV

🔸 Then: They shouted loudly for hours, thinking volume or repetition would make Baal respond. 🔸 Now: We can do the same by saying all the right Christian words, trying to get God’s attention. When he wants our heart.

💃 2. Their Ritual Dancing → Our Religious Performance

“And they limped around the altar that they had made.” — 1 Kings 18:26, ESV

🔸 Then: They worked themselves into a ritual frenzy, thinking physical performance would stir Baal to act. 🔸 Now: We can turn worship into performance—whether musical, emotional, or social instead of from the heart.

We may focus on how others perceive us rather than the One we’re worshiping.

📢 3. Their Louder Cries → Our Attempts to Control God

“And they cried aloud…” — 1 Kings 18:28, ESV

🔸 Then: When nothing happened, they just tried harder and got louder, as if Baal could be pressured into responding. 🔸 Now: We can treat God like a cosmic vending machine:

If we pray hard enough, say the right words, or “name it and claim it,” He must give us what we want.

We may fast, give, or do religious acts to try to leverage God into answering our way.

🩸 4. Their Self-Cutting → Our Spiritual Self-Punishment

“…and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them.” — 1 Kings 18:28, ESV

🔸 Then: They believed hurting themselves might move Baal to pity or prove their devotion.

They literally would use their own blood to try and attract the attention of their God. 🔸 Now: We may not literally cut ourselves, but many punish ourselves or try to “earn” God’s attention or forgiveness:

Thinking God will listen only if we “suffer enough” or prove we’re worthy.

Examples in Catholicism during midevL:

Flagellation (self-whipping).

Walking barefoot on long pilgrimages (e.g., Camino de Santiago in Spain).

Climbing church steps on knees (e.g., the Scala Sancta in Rome).

Walking on sharp stones, thorns, or even nails — usually during special feast days or processions.

👉 Key Point: Jesus already shed His blood — we don’t need to grab God’s attention.

🤪 5. Their Raving Frenzy → Our Busy, Distracted Religion

“And as midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention.” — 1 Kings 18:29, ESV

🔸 Then: They went on for hours in a frenzy, exhausting themselves but getting nowhere. 🔸 Now: We can be religiously busy but spiritually barren:

Thinking that busyness equals godliness — when really, we may just be distracting ourselves from spiritual emptiness.

After some time I think Elijah had had enough!

1 Kings 18:29 “And as midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention.”

Nothing.

“Imagine shouting for hours, cutting yourself, dancing wildly, begging your god to answer—and all you get is silence. That’s what idolatry always leads to: a moment when the curtain drops, the music stops, and you realize the god is powerless and the throne is empty.”

When we pour ourselves into: Idols of success, pleasure, power, or control.

We too eventually will get Silence.

It’s like crying out for someone in an empty house… with no one there to call back.

This is how they felt.

But God wanted to show them they didn’t need that God.

That was a false God. No hope. No Peace

COMMENTARY:

“Elijah wisely gave the prophets ample time to perform their rituals. Their prolonged failure was not just a defeat for them but a devastating blow to the people’s syncretistic faith. They had long wavered between Yahweh and Baal. This public silence left them with no excuse. The crowd’s indecision is now being stripped away.”

Lets see what happens next:

READ 1 KINGS 18:30-38.

4. Yahweh’s All Consuming Fire (vv. 30-38)

Next God Shows up.

He repairs the Altar

Took twelve stones — He did this to show that all the twelve tribes of Israel should be joined in the worship of Jehovah

According to a tradition of the Jews d, it was built by Saul

1 Samuel 15:12 “And Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning. And it was told Samuel, “Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set up a monument for himself and turned and passed on and went down to Gilgal.””

He removes the possibility

This was done to prevent any kind of suspicion that there was fire concealed under the altar. An ancient writer under the name of Chrysostom, quoted by Calmet, says that he had seen under the altars of the heathens, holes dug in the earth with funnels proceeding from them, and communicating with openings on the tops of the altars. In the former the priests concealed fire, which, communicating through the funnels with the holes, set fire to the wood and consumed the sacrifice; and thus the simple people were led to believe that the sacrifice was consumed by a miraculous fire. Elijah showed that no such knavery could be practiced in the present case. Had there been a concealed fire under the altar, as in the case mentioned above, the water that was thrown on the altar must have extinguished it most effectually

He Prays

One one side we have 450 prophets… it seems hes out numbered.

On the other side we have 1 man and a true God.

—

Let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel; and that there is no other:

and that I am thy servant; a true worshipper of him, and his faithful prophet and minister:

and that I have done all these things at thy word;

stopped rain from the earth for some years past,

and now had gathered Israel, and the false prophets, together

from your command Oh Lord.

Hear me, O Lord, hear me

that this people may know that thou art the Lord God; and not Baal, or any other idol:

and that thou hast turned their heart back again; from idolatry, to the worship of the true God

The Fire Falls!

Then the fire of the Lord fell,.... An extraordinary fire from God out of heaven.

and consumed the burnt sacrifice; as it had done in former instances, Leviticus 9:24, and besides this, which is still more extraordinary,

and the wood, and the stones, and the dust; of the altar, thereby signifying that even such were not to be used any more:

and licked up the water that was in the trench; around the altar.

Its Interesting...

1. The fire came down from heaven.

2. The pieces of the sacrifice were first consumed.

3. The wood next, to show that it was not even by means of the wood that the flesh was burned.

4. The twelve stones were also consumed, to show that it was no common fire, but one whose power nothing could resist.

5. The dust, the earth of which the altar was constructed, was burned up.

6. The water that was in the trench was, by the fury of this fire, entirely evaporated.

7. The action of this fire was in every case downward, contrary to the nature of all earthly and material fire- to go up.

ONLY GOD.

5. The Response and Result! (vv. 39-40)

Fell on their faces — Struck with awe and reverence at the sight of this incontestable miracle.

And they said — We should translate the words thus: YHWH, He is the God! YHWH, He is the God! Baal is not the God; YHWH alone is the God of Israel.

1 Kings 18:39 “And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.””

Here we see YHWH. The I AM who I AM Sends fire down.

Mount Sinai -

“On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled…” (Ex. 19:16) “All the people answered with one voice and said, ‘All the words that the LORD has spoken we will do.’” (Ex. 24:3)

When Fire Falls

Suprgeon says here - "How long halt ye?" I will tell them; ye will halt between two opinions, all of you who are undecided, until God shall answer by fire. Fire was not what these poor people wanted that were assembled there. When Elijah says, that "the God that answereth by fire let him be God," I fancy I hear some of them saying, "No; the God that answereth by water let him be God; we want rain badly enough." "No," said Elijah," if rain should come, you would say that it was the common course of providence; and that would not decide you." I tell you, all the providences that befall you undecided ones will not decide you. God may surround you with providences; he may surround you with frequent warnings from the death-bed of your fellows; but providences will never decide you. It is not the God of rain, but the God of fire that will do it.

“This isn’t the only time fire fell and faces hit the ground. When God moves in power—at Sinai, the Red Sea, Shechem, the Temple, Carmel...—the right response is always the same: fall down and confess who He is.”

AW TOZER -

“When man sees himself in the light of God’s holiness, he does not boast. He falls on his face and cries, ‘Woe is me!’ or some equivalent thereof. The holiest of men are the humblest.” — The Knowledge of the Holy

LEONARD RAVENHILL-

“The man who has seen the glory of God can never strut again. He walks softly, he weeps easily, he loves deeply, and he obeys quickly.” — Why Revival Tarries (1959)

OSWALD CHAMBERS -

“The only proper attitude when God reveals Himself is an absolute, unqualified humility. When we truly see Him, we bow without conditions.” — My Utmost for His Highest

The people bow.

God is the True God.

Andrew Murray -

“Humility is nothing but the disappearance of self in the vision that God is all.”

“On Mount Carmel, the people bowed as fire fell from heaven, confessing, ‘The LORD, He is God.’ One day, that moment will echo across the earth. Nations will bow, kings will tremble, and every false god will collapse before the reigning ‘I AM.’ The God who sent fire once will reveal His glory again, and every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that He alone is Lord of all.”

-What happens next is quite “uncommon”

Prophets Killed - Punishment!

1 Kings 18:40 “And Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape.” And they seized them. And Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon and slaughtered them there.”

He now - Is an extension of the Justice of God.

and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon; which ran by the side, and at the bottom of Mount Carmel, into the sea;

and slew them there; these he slew not with his own hand, but by others he gave orders to do it; and this not as a private person, but as an extraordinary minister of God, to execute justice according to his law, Deuteronomy 13:1 

The Mosaic Law commanded the death penalty for false prophets who led Israel into idolatry:

“But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has taught rebellion against the LORD your God… to make you leave the way in which the LORD your God commanded you to walk.” — Deuteronomy 13:5

Baal’s prophets were guilty of treason against Israel’s King, the Lord Himself.”

“The prophets of Baal were the great criminals of the nation. They had seduced God’s people; they had slain God’s prophets. Now the sword of justice is at last unsheathed against them. Elijah is not cruel, but faithful to the law of his God.” — Commentary on 1 Kings 18:40

Indeed if we are to PROSPER:

“The slaughter of the false prophets was necessary that pure religion might again be established. God would have the infection cut off, lest it should spread anew.

Such severity was medicinal, not tyrannical.”

I don’t advocate slaughter.

But God advocates for a PURE RELIGION.

Various Christian Commentators make it clear: the church today is not a theocratic nation like Israel still under the Mosaic covenant.

In the Old Covenant, Israel’s civil law and spiritual identity were intertwined.

In the New Covenant, judgment is spiritual and eternal, not carried out by the sword (John 18:36; 2 Cor 10:4).

Violence isn’t the answer for today.

False teachers are to be exposed, corrected, or removed from fellowship (Titus 1:9–11; 2 John 9–11), not executed.

The scarier thing isn’t the present sword but a future judgement from the Almighty.

** This passage is not a warrant for similar actions today but points to God’s ultimate and final judgment on all falsehood.” — Note on 1 Kings 18:40

TODAY Cut off those things from among you which divide your heart.

TODAY Destroy those things which spoil your love for God

TODAY Detest those high idols in your life which catch your attention.

Slaughter THOSE things.

What’s the principle we learn…

God is Holy. He is the one true God… and Sin always has a price.

READ: 1 Kings 18:41-46.

6. Yahweh sends Rain (vv. 41-46)

God sends rain.

Mr. Bruce mentions a similar appearance in Abyssinia: - "Every morning, in Abyssinia, is clear, and the sun shines. About nine a small cloud, not above four hundred feet broad, appears in the east, whirling violently round, as if upon an axis; but arrived near the zenith, it first abates its motion, then loses its form, and extends itself greatly, and seems to call up vapours from all opposite quarters. These clouds, having attained nearly the same height, rush against each other with great violence, and put me always in mind of Elijah foretelling rain on Mount Carmel." - Travels, vol. v., page 336, edit. 1806.

Rain Falls!

It signals that the famine is broken, God has accepted the people’s repentance, and covenant blessings are being restored.

Many scholars see rain as a sign of blessing.

“When God by fire had convinced and converted them, then, and not till then, he sent the rain to refresh them. When the idols are thrown down, then the windows of heaven are opened. National mercies are given after national repentance.” — Commentary on 1 Kings 18:41–46

“The return of rain was not automatic; it came through the fervent prayer of a righteous man (James 5:17–18). Elijah prayed persistently, aligning his will with God’s promise, and the rain came as a result of divine mercy and prophetic intercession.” — EBC, 1 Kings 18

God keeps His promises, but He uses the prayers of His people as a means.

Joel 2:12–13 ““Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.”

Joel 2:23 ““Be glad, O children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given the early rain for your vindication; he has poured down for you abundant rain, the early and the latter rain, as before.”

Then Elijah Runs- A quick note.

Ran before Ahab — Many think that Elijah ran before the king in order to do him honour; Some think that Elijah had put himself at the head of a company of chanters who ran before the king reciting his praises, or the praises of God; a custom which still exists in Arabian countries!

What happened??

The hand of the Lord, or, as the Targum says, the spirit of strength, came upon Elijah, and he girded up his loins, that is, hiked up his pants and RAN!

All this was intended to show that he was under the influence of the I AM.

Carmel to Jezreel is about 17 miles.

What does this mean today?

Serve One not Both

Fire Falls Now or Later

I tell you that you must either be decided by the descent of the fire of his Spirit into your hearts now, or else in the day of judgment.

3. Grace is Offered

Conclusion

🔸1. God is soverign.

He is in control. We don’t have to fear.… He is working it outin our nation.

3. Reject Indecision Spiritually

Don’t waver. Bow before the true God with wholehearted allegiance. We can’t serve both. Many in our world today are in this category!

🔸3. Am I making futile attempts

God responds to humble, faith-filled prayer—not performance, noise, or self-effort.

God wants you. Not what you do or can offer.

The greatest thing in all the world is to love and serve Jesus. Period.

🔸 4. Cut Off What Draws You Back

Eliminate influences and idols that keep splitting your devotion.

🔸 5. Pray for the Rain of Renewal- Pray again.

After repentance comes refreshing—God restores when hearts return to Him.

Ravenhill used to say: “We want the showers of blessing without the fire of purification.” But on Mount Carmel, fire fell first—turning hearts back to God—and then the rain came, restoring the land. Revival doesn’t begin with comfort; it begins with confrontation. God sends fire to burn up the idols before He sends rain to bless the fields.

Spurgeon told of a town that invited their neighboring fire department to a parade. The firemen arrived in their bright uniforms, polished engines, and shining brass—but when a real fire broke out that afternoon, the visiting firemen ran around the blaze with their torches, marching in formation, but never actually fought the fire. They looked the part but lacked power. Many churches, he said, are like that—great parades, but no fire. Carmel reminds us that God’s power doesn’t come from performance—it comes from His presence.

Story:

Not going to get political but I did find a news story relevant to this topic...

📝 Illustration: “You Can’t Be a Citizen and Not a Citizen at the Same Time”

Recently in Des Moines, Iowa, a surprising story made headlines. The superintendent of the city’s school district was suddenly detained by ICE — immigration authorities. For years, all his employment paperwork, applications, and records claimed he was a U.S. citizen. He’d passed background checks, signed official forms, and held one of the most trusted positions in the community. But he had been lying.

But when ICE arrived, they presented a very different story: according to federal records, he was under a removal order and not legally authorized to live or work in the U.S. In other words, he was publicly living one identity, but the law said something else.

When the authorities showed up he ran, they had to call in help to catch the guy.

He oversaw over 5,000 employees (teachers, principals, support staff, administrators).

The district serves more than 30,000 students, making it Iowa’s largest school district.

As superintendent, his role was to set the vision, lead the schools, manage personnel, and represent the district publicly.

The school board was left scrambling… and has since all but disowned him putting him on paid leave effective immediately.

It was interesteing that you cannot claim to be a citizen and not actually be one at the same time. You are… or you aren’t.

In the same way…

✨ Sermon Connection

That’s exactly what Elijah confronted on Mount Carmel. The people of Israel were trying to live in two identities—publicly honoring Yahweh at times, but privately bowing to Baal. They thought they could keep both altars standing.

But Elijah stood before the nation and asked, “How long will you go limping between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” (1 Kings 18:21)

God needs Christians who are all in.

Are you limping - hesitating.

As God to give you strength.

Confess the lord and to one another.

And Pray for one another that you may be healed.

Elijah was an all in guy.

One against many - God help us in our day.

To stand as he stood… Pray as he prayed...

Against so many difficulties of OUR day today.

Prayer

Thank you for this reminder.

A prophet who called a nation back to you.

For our church.

Help us to first live with the fire in our own hearts Undivided.

THen help us - this church to stand… to pray.. then to look for the rain..

Bless us tonight as the Muirs join us -In Jesus name we pray.

Amen.

https://studylight.org/commentaries/eng/geb/1-kings-18.html?print=yes

https://studylight.org/commentaries/eng/acc/1-kings-18.html?print=yes

https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/elijahs-appeal-to-the-undecided/#flipbook/

https://www.gotquestions.org/who-Baal.html